Ugh. I knew the day was coming, I just never thought it would come and go so quickly. Yes, Gentle Reader, I turned 65 and had to leave the best job anyone could ever want to have. On October 31, 2018 I flew 300 folks on a Boeing 777LR, Delta Flight 546, from Atlanta to Los Angeles. For. The. Last. Time.

Security is a big issue when something bad happens. When nothing bad is happening, it doesn’t seem necessary or appropriate.

But in order for the happiness thing to work, expectations must be continually adjusted.

A working pilot only flies when he is told and then only to the airport that his company designates.

My father was an airline pilot who flew bombers in World War II. All of his friends were pilots.

The Pacific is a big ocean. (I know, Duh.) When I cross it, I fly for hours at 500 MPH and see nothing. And I mean: nothing.

As terrestrial creatures, it is unnatural to spend more than a few moments separated from our planet. I suppose that is why so many people -